Russian president’s new ultimatum comes as foreign envoys meet in Switzerland to discuss western-led peace plan

Vladimir Putin has demanded that Kyiv cede more land, withdraw troops deeper inside its own country, and drop its Nato bid in order for him to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Putin’s fresh ceasefire demands were issued as envoys from more than 90 countries, including Ukraine, convene in Switzerland this weekend to discuss a western-led peace plan. Russia is not invited to the conference and the president’s remarks on Friday were likely to have been timed as a spoiler to that summit.

Speaking with diplomats at the Russian foreign ministry, Putin publicly updated his terms for ending the war in Ukraine for the first time since he launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022, when he demanded regime change in Kyiv and the country’s “demilitarisation”.

The US defence secretary, Lloyd Austin, said Putin was in “no position” to make demands on Ukraine and could end the war he had started “today if he chose to do that.”

  • takeda@lemmy.worldEnglish
    3·
    5 months ago

    It’s not.

    The red line was placed by US itself as a response to Russia threatening using nuclear weapons if Ukraine gets any help.

    Russia of course didn’t, but adopted that red line itself and used it on its propaganda.

    As they started offensive on Kharkiv, and started bombing Ukraine from behind the border so Ukraine wouldn’t be able to respond, they essentially forced change of that red line.

    US allowed to use of its weapons in that area.

    Now the problem for Russia is:

    • it was easy to say “no Western weapon can be used on territory of Russia”, but now they can’t say “it was fine to use Western weapons on Belogrod, but Rostov-on-don is a red line” that doesn’t work well in propaganda, is putin saying Belogrod isn’t Russia?
    • other Western nations gave permission to use their weapons anywhere in Russia with no restrictions
    • the actual agreement where Ukraine can hit and where it can’t are secret and known only to US and Ukraine

    This means Russia (including maga politicians) once it stops with this sabre rattling, won’t really have much way to use propaganda about future changes.

    The agreement being secret will also allow to be modified without much headlines. We will only learn after the fact. For example Russia reporting they saw fragments of US weapons in different areas. Most won’t care anymore.

    • Andy@slrpnk.netEnglish
      1·
      5 months ago

      That is very, very interesting. I thought you were just being cryptic, but I’m really glad I asked for clarity, because this was super informative. Thank you.